When babies move from inside the womb out into the world, their little bodies have to start working differently right away. Babies who are born sick or premature can have a hard time making this transition, so we care for them in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) — a high-tech nursery with trained personnel that provides specialized care for babies with special medical needs.

If your pregnancy is high-risk, we’ll help you prepare for the possibility that your baby might need care in the NICU. However, most NICU stays are unexpected. Seeing your baby in the unfamiliar environment of the NICU can be overwhelming at first. We’ll help you adjust and support you as you bond with your little one.

What to expect in the NICU

Because it’s designed for babies that need specialized care, the NICU looks different than a regular nursery. If your baby is in the NICU, you’ll see:

Special beds called incubators to keep babies warm and help protect them from infection

Respirators, nasal tubes, or oxygen hoods to help babies breathe

Feeding tubes or glucose drips to help babies get enough nutrients

Monitors to track vital signs and alert the staff to your baby’s needs

NICU care teams

Our NICU doctors, nurses, and support staff specialize in caring for newborns who have special medical needs. They all work together to provide the best care possible for your new baby 24 hours a day.

Neonatologists are pediatricians with additional training in caring for sick and premature babies.

Neonatal nurse practitioners are nurses with advanced training in the care of newborns.

Specialists are doctors with medical expertise in certain areas, like cardiology or neurology.

Registered nurses specialize in the treatment and care of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Respiratory therapists are specially trained to treat any breathing problems.

Bonding with your baby in the NICU

Parents are an important part of the NICU care team — and our goal is to help you be with your baby as much as possible while providing the specialized care he or she needs. Most babies can be held soon after they arrive in the NICU. If you’re not able to hold your baby at first, you can still nurture them and let them know you’re there. You can:

Skin-to-skin contact after birth triggers healthy baby behaviors, helping little ones adjust to life outside the womb. If your baby is in the NICU, we’ll help you hold them skin-to-skin as soon as it’s medically possible — even if your newborn is still being supported by feeding and breathing machines.

Bringing your baby home from the NICU

Once your baby reaches a few important milestones, it’s time for them to leave the NICU and continue growing stronger from home. We’ll know your baby is ready to go home when:

They’re steadily gaining weight and can breastfeed or bottle-feed

Their body temperature remains stable in a normal infant bed

Their heart rate and breathing rate are stable for a week

Your NICU care team will help you and your baby get ready to go home. We’ll make sure you know how to care for your baby — including giving medication, taking his or her temperature, and using medical equipment at home.